Road King Magazine » Iron Skillethttp://roadking.com Lifestyle, Health & Trucking News for Over-the-Road TruckersTue, 24 Mar 2015 17:52:57 +0000en-UShourly1Charm and convenience make Petro Eloy a driver destinationhttp://roadking.com/truckstops/charm-and-convenience-make-petro-eloy-a-driver-destination/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/charm-and-convenience-make-petro-eloy-a-driver-destination/#commentsThu, 12 Mar 2015 14:01:32 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=10563Ask restaurant general manager Bill Avery what the best thing about Petro Eloy is and he’s quick to answer: “We have an extremely attractive general manager!” he says, laughing. That sense of fun is a signature of Petro Eloy, and while drivers may come by because of its convenient location between Phoenix and Tucson, they […]

]]>Ask restaurant general manager Bill Avery what the best thing about Petro Eloy is and he’s quick to answer: “We have an extremely attractive general manager!” he says, laughing.

That sense of fun is a signature of Petro Eloy, and while drivers may come by because of its convenient location between Phoenix and Tucson, they quickly realize they have found a home away from home.

“We hire friendly people,” says Avery, “and we try to hire good people and then we train them to do what needs to be done. We get a lot of customers who say, ‘I can’t wait to come back.’”

A little something extra

The Iron Skillet restaurant has been fully remodeled, which means a new kitchen, new booths and new décor. It even won the company’s prestigious customer service award two months in a row for its staff’s hospitality and “above and beyond” attitude and service. Of course, the food is good, too.

“The new breakfast skillets have been very popular,” Avery says. Skillets, for the uninitiated, are potatoes, meat and cheese, all cooked up together in a delectable stack.

Full stop

Rigs can get clean at the Blue Beacon truck wash, and their drivers can tidy up at an on-site barbershop, then relax at the driver’s lounge with DirecTV. A full-service truck service center offers experienced technicians and roadside assistance via RoadSquad. And Reserve It! parking ensures a spot is waiting at the end of a long day.

Anyone looking for a souvenir of the area can find a selection of tabletop-ready potted cactus plants, assembled in nearby Apache Junction.

Four-wheeler fun

When you spend a lot of time on the road, it’s almost natural to become a bit of a gearhead. So plenty of customers make a point of stopping in to check out the machines on display at the annual car show held at Petro Eloy every November.

Trucking celebrities

One of the memorable moments for the staff and drivers came when some of the truckers featured on the reality TV show Ice Road Truckers stopped in. The Arizona weather and dry roads must have been a pleasant change of pace for them, and having a bit of celebrity at the location made the day a little more special for everyone.

People pleasers

“Helping people just becomes part of your everyday life,” says Avery. “People come in, they need your help, and you help them. Drivers come to us because they consider us a home away from home.” –

]]>http://roadking.com/truckstops/charm-and-convenience-make-petro-eloy-a-driver-destination/feed/0Petro Wells customers come to the crossroads and find lots to enjoyhttp://roadking.com/truckstops/petro-wells/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/petro-wells/#commentsMon, 14 Jul 2014 15:27:39 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=10240Petro Wells, Nevada, may be hundreds of miles from the Vegas strip, but it offers drivers many of the same features.

]]>Petro Wells, Nevada, may be hundreds of miles from the Vegas strip, but it offers drivers many of the same features.

Whether you’re relaxing in their state-of-the-art showers or trying your luck in the on-site casino, Petro Wells aims to offer every convenience a driver could ask for. Opened just over a year ago, Petro Wells is still working on some finishing touches, including repaving the truck parking lot. A four-bay Petro:Lube will be completed in the coming months, and a CAT Scale is also in the works.

Location, location, location

“We’re right in the middle of four intersections, including Route 93 and I-80,” says Jesus Lopez, travel store GM. “If you’re going to Vegas, Boise, Reno or just passing through, we’re on your way.”

Lyndsey Hunt, store lead, agrees that they’re in a unique position to serve drivers — literally. “We’re the first stop off of two major exits,” she says. “No matter which way you’re going, you find us first. It’s all about convenience.”

Where everybody knows your name

A few minutes at Petro Wells can make a difference in a driver’s day. Recently one of the location’s regulars pulled in to fuel up, frowning and obviously having a tough day. The fuel desk staff greeted him by name and after being in the store for just a few minutes, he was smiling and joking around. He was so happy to stop and see his friends, if even just for a few minutes.

More on the menu

Look for a revamped Iron Skillet and deli, which bolster the location’s already-diverse food options. “We have a really good Mexican menu,” says Lopez. “It’s authentic, with homemade soups and our Famous 4-Way Salad, a reference to our crossroads location. A lot of people come down here just to satisfy their craving with our delicious Mexican specialties!”

Hunt agrees that there’s something on the menu for every taste.

“The hot wings are delicious,” she says, “as is the ‘Jet Set,’ a dish that’s made of french fries and gravy. That’s one of the more unique and popular items; people just can’t seem to get enough!”

Never a gamble

While they can’t promise a winning hand, Petro Wells promises everyone a chance to play. The casino has roughly 30 new gambling machines, including traditional slots as well as several new game options for adventurous gamblers.

Meet Carmen

Carmen Salazar, who has been the cashier at Petro Wells for almost a year, keeps collecting stars from customers for outstanding service. “She goes above and beyond,” says Lopez. “It’s just her personality.”

Support system

In fact, Lopez points to the whole staff as the calling card that makes Petro Wells a great stopping place. “No matter what you need, there’s always someone who can help you,” he says. “No matter how big or small the problem you have that day, there’s someone who can guide you through. We want to make sure that every customer leaves here with a smile.”

]]>http://roadking.com/truckstops/petro-wells/feed/0Petro Ontario has undergone more than a name changehttp://roadking.com/truckstops/petro-ontario-undergone-name-change/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/petro-ontario-undergone-name-change/#commentsThu, 15 May 2014 20:32:20 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=10149Drivers who haven’t been through Ontario, Calif., for a while might be surprised to see the Petro Stopping Centers sign as they travel down I-10. They’ll be even more surprised when they take Exit 57 and arrive at the site. The previous TA Ontario East became a Petro in September 2013, but the transformation has […]

]]>Drivers who haven’t been through Ontario, Calif., for a while might be surprised to see the Petro Stopping Centers sign as they travel down I-10. They’ll be even more surprised when they take Exit 57 and arrive at the site.

The previous TA Ontario East became a Petro in September 2013, but the transformation has been marked by more than a couple of new signs. Sure, those have changed, but everything from light fixtures to staff uniforms has been upgraded.

There’s barely an area on the site that hasn’t seen some sort of revamping or remodeling. From a restaurant overhaul to additional dining options and an expanded merchandise selection, drivers are getting more choices and services.

New interior and exterior paint add to the fresh look, and the store received new fixtures and a reworked floor plan so that newer, and more, merchandise could be added to the displays.

“A lot of customers tell us that they are glad to have the change to Petro,” says Louie Perez, store general manager.

Driver namesake

Another new sign is going up at Petro Ontario: Citizen Driver Award recipient Shawn Hubbard chose the location as his favorite, and so it will bear his name. The signs for Shawn Hubbard Ontario Stopping Center at each entrance are just the start. A plaque will also go up in a prominent place, telling visitors the story of this notable truck driver.

Food, glorious food

A new full-menu Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen opened on-site in March, and it has proven to be a driver favorite. The restaurant, now an Iron Skillet also was remodeled.

“That was a really big facelift,” says Perez. “We gutted the dining and food-prep areas, added a salad bar, and then put in all new tables and lighting in a new configuration.”

Familiar faces

Perez, with 24 years on the job, is one of many longtime employees at the location. “My assistant manager, Dorothy Watson-Luna, has been here for 15 years, and our bookkeeper, Cathy Lopez, has been here since the location opened in 1983,” he says. Other longtime employees include Trini Flores who, like Lopez, goes back to the opening days; Vicenta Estrada and Guillermo Villarreal, 1987; Faustino Casteneda and Fili Garcia, 1989; and Luis Baez, 1990.

“It’s a great place to work, and our customers really like seeing the same people every time they come through,” Perez says.

It’s a natural

Everyone has been talking about liquefied natural gas, and Petro Ontario is set to be one of the first locations in the TA/Petro Stopping Centers network to offer LNG at the pump. The equipment installation process has begun, and service is expected to come online following a grand opening in May.

]]>http://roadking.com/truckstops/petro-ontario-undergone-name-change/feed/0The remodeled Petro Florence still offers a warm Southern welcomehttp://roadking.com/truckstops/remodeled-petro-florence-still-offers-warm-southern-welcome/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/remodeled-petro-florence-still-offers-warm-southern-welcome/#commentsFri, 21 Mar 2014 20:08:17 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=9814Can good old Southern charm and friendliness melt away the stresses of a driver’s hectic day? At Petro Florence that’s definitely a goal. “In South Carolina we are known for being friendly folks, and we like to make sure that drivers feel welcome and comfortable when they visit,” says store general manager David Tabler. Restaurant […]

]]>Can good old Southern charm and friendliness melt away the stresses of a driver’s hectic day? At Petro Florence that’s definitely a goal.

“In South Carolina we are known for being friendly folks, and we like to make sure that drivers feel welcome and comfortable when they visit,” says store general manager David Tabler.

Restaurant general manager John Wallace calls it the “take care of you attitude,” and it can mean something as simple as friendly conversation and knowing a driver’s regular order to taking a sick customer to see a doctor.

“Our staff is top-notch,” says Wallace. “I think that Northern customers, especially, who are used to a more fast-paced life, appreciate our style, which is kind, gentle and sweet.”

Tabler points out that Petro Florence has many amenities on-site that also appeal to drivers.

“I think that we are, by far, the nicest facility in the area,” he says.

That’s especially true since all of the buildings have been remodeled. The Iron Skillet underwent a top-to-bottom renovation, with new seats, new kitchen equipment and a new décor theme that spotlights nearby attractions Darlington Raceway, Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach.

There are new showers, the entranceway has been refreshed and the travel store now offers cappuccino, ices, hot dogs and nachos. Outside, the fuel island has a new canopy.

“It looks like a new truckstop,” says fuel desk general manager Charles Bernsen. “Drivers are definitely appreciating the updates.”

Local flavor

One of the dishes that visitors ask about at Iron Skillet is the Chicken Bog, a hometown favorite that is often the centerpiece at church suppers. It’s a stew of chicken, sausage, rice and onions, slow-simmered to a delectable tenderness.

Island hopping

During construction, the porters on staff realized that a good part of their daily to-do list was on hold until the work was completed. So they would head to the fuel islands and wash windows, help drivers with fueling and find other ways to assist drivers.

Fueling up

The fuel island deli once served only fried foods. Now it has the equipment to prepare good, fresh food. Drivers can get full meals throughout the day, made to order. Staff is on hand to whip up eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast, grits and breakfast sandwiches in the morning. There are also full dinners available, featuring entrees such as baked chicken or Salisbury steak with a choice of vegetables.

]]>http://roadking.com/truckstops/remodeled-petro-florence-still-offers-warm-southern-welcome/feed/0Petro Restaurants Renovated and Ready to Servehttp://roadking.com/truckstops/dining-in-style-petro/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/dining-in-style-petro/#commentsMon, 04 Nov 2013 22:38:39 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=8183A while back, a driver walked up to the entrance of the newly remodeled restaurant at Petro Angola in Indiana, and turned around before entering. A few minutes later he was back, with his hair combed and generally looking tidier all around.

]]>A while back, a driver walked up to the entrance of the newly remodeled restaurant at Petro Angola in Indiana, and turned around before entering. A few minutes later he was back, with his hair combed and generally looking tidier all around. When asked about it, he said, “I looked around and thought that I wasn’t well-groomed enough to come into a place this nice. So I went and showered before sitting down to eat.”

It’s a nice gesture, but there’s no need to get fancy when dining at Petro, despite the sometimes dramatic transformations at the restaurants. From simple refreshes to total overhauls, the dining establishments are getting new looks, customized to reflect the surrounding area.

The basic Iron Skillet framework might be the same, but a California restaurant won’t have the same look or atmosphere as one in Illinois or Tennessee. So while drivers will feel a certain familiarity walking into a restaurant that has been made over, there will be unique details to discover at each location.

Conversation pieces

“I look at each place as a canvas to paint,” says Jeff Biggar, one of the main decorators on the remodeling program. “I do research of the area and try to find something interesting to include.”

He’s happy to watch drivers who come to a revamped restaurant for the first time begin to explore, looking at the photos and decor throughout the restaurant.

He’s worked on so many locations that drivers are beginning to recognize him as the decorator, pointing out their favorite touches at various locations. More than one driver has recalled a favorite decorative item they saw, and one was so moved by a photo and quote she saw that she asked Biggar if she could get a copy of it.

The restaurant makeovers have been going on for the past four years, with more to come. The plan is to revisit each location every six years for refreshes, so there will never be a time when a restaurant looks drab or dated.

“It’s exciting to watch the transformation take place,” Biggar says. “You can see how it changes the whole atmosphere.”

Let’s go to the beach

One of the most recent transformations took place at what is now Petro Ontario. The West Coast vibe comes through clearly, with surfing, ocean life and palm tree decorations. But keep looking around and other local areas of interest start to pop up. There’s a photo of Alcatraz, the famed island prison, for example, plus much more.

Cowboy cool

There’s no doubt that you are in Texas once you step into Petro Weatherford. The revamped Iron Skillet features a large bronco-busting cowboy silhouette on one wall and two enormous blue Lone Stars, along with longhorn steers, wagon wheels, rodeo images and even a photo of a mariachi band. When the remodeling was being done, the location also added a Popeyes, for more dining options.

]]>http://roadking.com/truckstops/dining-in-style-petro/feed/0Petro Glade Spring always puts its focus on customershttp://roadking.com/truckstops/building-relationships/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/building-relationships/#commentsMon, 02 Sep 2013 15:06:59 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=7965When a deadly tornado whipped through Petro Glade Spring in April 2011, the location went down for a while, but was not by any means out.

]]>When a deadly tornado whipped through Petro Glade Spring in April 2011, the location went down for a while, but was not by any means out.

“We were shut down for about 44 days,” recalls general manager Nick Lambert. “There was no electricity in the entire area for at least 30 of those days. We have a generator, so we were the only place in the area with power.”

That was key to the location’s quick recovery.

The storm caused incredible damage all around. One wall on the main building collapsed. The truck service center was a pile of rubble. Fuel islands were in pieces. The parking lot, jam-packed with trucks that had to come off the road for safety, got hit hard. Twenty-three tractor-trailers flipped over in the powerful winds, and though there were some injuries, thankfully none were serious.

It was a terrifying experience for the staff and customers, but one that brought out the best in everyone. Restaurant manager Henley Dobbins walked two miles to reach the site and helped keep more than 300 customers fed and sheltered.

The tornado hit on a Wednesday and Petro Glade Spring began rebuilding the following Monday.

“Everybody who saw what happened thought it would take us six months to get back up and running,” says Lambert.

They did it in six weeks.

While the tornado did a lot of damage, the rebuild included some improvements. The restrooms are bigger now, and there are five service bays in a completely new truck service center.

One important part of the location remains unchanged, though. Drivers find the same exceptional service, clean surroundings and friendly staff they always appreciated at Petro Glade Spring.

“We just try to be really good at what we do,” says Lambert.

Customer appreciation

When Petro Glade Spring throws a customer appreciation event, they go all out. Drivers are invited to join in on a day of great food, live music, games, and prizes. Often there’s even a NASCAR race car on display. “But every day is a customer service event here,” says truck service general manager Ron DeVaull. “We always try to do something special for our customers.”

Hungry for news?

Petro Glade Spring’s Iron Skillet had six televisions installed throughout the dining room in the rebuild. “We had one before, but now anywhere a driver sits, they can see the news and weather reports before they get back on the road,” says Dobbins.

Strong ties

“Buildings can be replaced and we did a great job on that after the tornado,” says DeVaull. “The personal side of an event like that is harder to come through. We have such wonderful people here, and going through that made us even more of a tight-knit crew. Our customers had to do without us for a while, and there were a few who told us they waited for us to open because they wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”

Dobbins saw the same thing at the restaurant. “When our customers came back they told us how much they missed our good food and just stopping here to see us,” he recalls. “They consider us friends and we feel the same. We missed them too.”

]]>Gary, Indiana — destination spot? Drivers certainly think so, now that they see everything the all-new Petro Gary has to offer.

The stop off I-80/I-94, once small but convenient, has been razed and rebuilt into a full-service, wow-factor travel center with driver needs as the focus and plenty of extras. Everything is bigger, brighter and just plain better, from the massive travel store to the heated outdoor patio to the relaxation room outfitted with leather La-Z-Boy massage chairs.

“Petro Gary is state of the art, unlike anything we have ever built before,” says field manager Kris Roach. “If you put together a wish list of what to have in a travel center, this location has it. The company spared no expense to give drivers what they want.”

Good vibes

Choose one of three rooms to settle into and shrug off the stresses of the day. A TV room with DirecTV is the perfect place to catch a game with fellow drivers. Grab some popcorn, head over to the Driver Theater and get lost in a movie for a couple of hours. Or plop down on one of the comfortable reclining massage chairs in a room solely designed for drivers to sit back and relax.

Take it outside

An outdoor heating system keeps a patio comfortable even when there’s a chill in the air. Grab a meal and dine at one of the tables or just sit and hang out for a while.

Dining options

The Iron Skillet restaurant seats 160 people and offers the food drivers consistently rate as the best in surveys of travel centers. There’s also a Pizza Hut and Taco Bell on site.

Bring your truck here

The Petro:Lube truck service center is just as inviting as the main building. There’s a coffee bar for drivers who are having their rigs worked on, DirecTV in the lounge area and conveniently located restrooms. Drivers may enjoy their wait, but with six service bays it won’t be a long one.

Butch and the techs

Lead tech Butch Estrada is a three-time winner in a national technician skills contest. His colleague Reginald Hamilton also was chosen for the elite competition. Both are ASE-certified Master Techs, and the rest of the truck service crew is also highly skilled.

“No matter what a driver comes in for, we have someone on staff who knows how to diagnose and fix their issues,” says Robert Coffman, general manager of the Petro:Lube truck service center and an ASE-certified technician himself. “With the abilities of our staff, we will raise the level of service for customers beyond their expectations.”

]]>http://roadking.com/truckstops/you-got-it/feed/0Petro Kingdom City has good eats and lots of treatshttp://roadking.com/truckstops/feeding-frenzy-2/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/feeding-frenzy-2/#commentsThu, 02 May 2013 16:15:12 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=7676Who can resist the sweet aroma of a batch of freshly baked donuts and freshly brewed coffee? Those tantalizing scents tempt many a visitor to Petro Kingdom City since the recent addition of Dunkin’ Donuts Express.

]]>Who can resist the sweet aroma of a batch of freshly baked donuts and freshly brewed coffee? Those tantalizing scents tempt many a visitor to Petro Kingdom City since the recent addition of Dunkin’ Donuts Express.

Make that two Dunkin’ Donuts Expresses.

“We’ve got one inside the store and one at the fuel desk,” says Malinda Plybon, store general manager. “Drivers can grab a donut and a coffee when they fuel up. It’s all self-serve. They can even get a Dunkaccino, and choose from a variety of flavorings to add in.”

That’s not all that’s new at Petro Kingdom City. Drivers who want to sit down for a heartier meal will find a completely remodeled Iron Skillet. Count on a location in the heart of farm country to be sure its customers are well-fed. The signature chicken-fried steak is just as good as always, but there are plenty of options for all tastes on the menu.

The buffet and salad bar are a bit larger in the revamped restaurant and of course there are many healthier-for-you StayFit menu choices.

Drivers can also satisfy a sweet tooth, or pick up a gift from the road that loved ones at home will definitely appreciate. The location now offers homemade fudge and salt water taffy.

Of course, whether you come in for a bite to eat, stock up on supplies, get your truck serviced or take a break from the road, you’ll find a healthy amount of down-home friendliness.

“We’re just good folks here in Missouri,” says Fred Davis, restaurant field manager. “We welcome everyone as a friend.”

Wall power

The restaurant now has a Missouri-themed décor, with a big focus on the beautiful Ozark mountains. So why is there a section dedicated to Winston Churchill? Because nearby Fulton, Mo., is where the famed British Prime Minister made his “Iron Curtain” speech shortly after the end of World War II. This is a huge part of the area’s history and a point of pride. Churchill was a guest of Westminster College, and in discussing the state of the world in peacetime, he uttered the phrase that came to symbolize the Cold War years.

You’ve got style

Drivers who have been on the road for a while and are feeling a little shaggy can pop in to the hair salon on the premises. Whether you just need to get a few scraggly inches cut off or you’re ready for a new look, the stylist will be sure you leave the salon looking good.

Small but mighty

Kingdom City may have a population of fewer than 200, but Petro is a magnet for the professional driver. “This is truly a trucker’s destination,” says Davis. “It’s right smack between St. Louis and Kansas City. We’ve got a TV room, laundromat, chapel services, driver movie theater and more.”

]]>http://roadking.com/truckstops/feeding-frenzy-2/feed/0Petro Salina in Kansas offers drivers a little indulgence and a lot of charmhttp://roadking.com/truckstops/deluxe-and-delightful/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/deluxe-and-delightful/#commentsWed, 06 Mar 2013 18:21:37 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=7533You can’t talk about Petro Salina without mentioning the luxurious platinum showers. Drivers rave about them for good reason. They are deluxe.

]]>You can’t talk about Petro Salina without mentioning the luxurious platinum showers. Drivers rave about them for good reason. They are deluxe. First, the shower room is huge (“You could hold a square dance in one,” says store and fuel GM Phil Mullis), so husband and wife teams can share the space without getting in each other’s way. There are TVs set behind the mirrors, so if one spouse is waiting for another, they won’t get bored. And then there are the showers themselves.

“Basically it’s like standing under a rainfall,” Mullis says. “The showerhead is two feet long and one foot wide. You can adjust the water pattern. And we keep them spotless.”

The showers rival those found in any five-star hotel and are matched by the attention to customer service found throughout the location. But while the platinum showers are awfully fancy, the way customers are greeted and helped reflects simple, down-home friendliness.

“We try to make this a home away from home for drivers,” Mullis says. “When they walk through the door, they are greeted warmly and almost immediately get into conversations with the staff. It’s like a group of brothers and sisters getting together, joking around and having fun. We’re a growing location, but we’ll always have that homey feel.”

Coffee plus

When Starbucks opened on-site, it was the only one within a 100-mile radius, so it was an immediate hit with highway travelers. All the baristas undergo two weeks of training to get the coffee drinks just right and have the certification to prove it. “In the summer we’re known as Frappuccino City,” says restaurant GM Steve Sudermann. “We sell it like crazy.”

Good eats

A brand-new Iron Skillet sits across from the travel store building, serving up all the restaurant favorites, including StayFit options. The store offers a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables and homemade meals to go — would you believe that cauliflower is a favorite? And the Starbucks offers pastries and sandwiches to go, too.

Truck service arrives

A four-bay truck service center is scheduled to open in March, with RoadSquad emergency roadside service available along with it.

Star Power

Country group Lady Antebellum dropped in after playing a concert nearby, and tour buses bearing well-known musicians often stop to fuel up before heading out to their next gig. “We’ve also seen NASCAR transporters and college sports team buses,” says Mullis.

]]>http://roadking.com/truckstops/deluxe-and-delightful/feed/0Petro Kingman is a great place to relax and de-stresshttp://roadking.com/truckstops/peaceful-easy-feeling/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/peaceful-easy-feeling/#commentsMon, 05 Nov 2012 19:51:43 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=7168After spending hours on the road, drivers know they can unwind when they arrive at Petro Kingman. This spot in the Arizona desert is an oasis of calm in a busy day.

]]>After spending hours on the road, drivers know they can unwind when they arrive at Petro Kingman. This spot in the Arizona desert is an oasis of calm in a busy day.

“There’s no noise around us. At night the sky is abundant with stars. It’s a peaceful place, where truckers can get a good sleep,” says store assistant general manager Dory Weber. They also get a warm welcome from a staff dedicated to making each driver’s day a little more pleasant. The fuel building stands separate from the store, so the area is for trucks only. With 12 diesel pumps, DEF at the island and five service bays, it’s easy to get in and out quickly.

But there are plenty of reasons for a driver to stay a while. The game room includes a pool table. A spacious movie room offers recent films and is also a great place to catch a favorite football team on game day. On Sundays, Truckstop Ministries converts the movie room into a chapel and offers services for drivers. The food in the Iron Skillet is great, and a new Dunkin’ Donuts is on hand too.

“We have everything a driver needs here,” Weber says. “Our staff is very friendly. And the scenery around us is beautiful.”

Clean up

The surroundings are clean, and you and your truck can be, too. Wash away the desert dust at one of the 20 showers for drivers, including four platinum showers. Get your clothes clean and fresh in the laundry room, which has five washers and eight dryers. And you can have your truck spiffed up too, by stopping in at the Blue Beacon Truck Wash onsite.

Get your kicks

Kingman, Arizona, sits along the longest remaining preserved stretch of Historic Route 66, and is officially recognized as a National Scenic Byway.

Chipping in

During fundraising drives for the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund, Petro Kingman customers are happy to give. Last year the store collected more than any other Petro. This year it took in more than $3,500. “We ask customers as they come in, and they will almost always donate,” Weber says.

Petro people power

“We always get compliments on our friendly staff,” Weber says, and the Exceptional Service Recognition Certificate program turns that praise into Gold Star pins. Drivers who are UltraONE Platinum Card holders are invited to print a certificate at the kiosk for any employee who delivers great service, and that employee gets a pin. “I have four cashiers who have those pins now,” Weber says.